The FGS and the US AFRICOM take significant measures to prevent civilian casualties in the fight against the al-Qaeda affiliated terrorist puppet al-Shabaab and investigate each reported allegation thoroughly.

At this time, no civilians are assessed to have been killed or injured in the attack.

Yesterday's strike is the 4th airstrikes conducted against al-Shabaab since the beginning of April and resulted in 21 dead terrorists so far this month.

This strike and others like them are crucial support to the Somali National Army's increasingly successful campaign on the ground. This relentless pounding of al-Shabaab from American aircraft in the air and the SNA and AMISOM forces on the ground has seen the terrorist steadily retreat from regions of the country held for years by the group. Just last month, the SNA, supported by AMISOM troops and US air support, liberated the long-held town of Janaale from the grasps of al-Shabaab oppression. Once considered by most a stronghold of al-Shabaab, Janaale fell to SNA forces in only two days. The operation was a triumphant display of the SNAs increasing ability to conduct complex missions in coordination with multiple partners and allies.

The Federal Government of Somalia, the SNA, Danab, and its United States partners are committed to fighting al-Shabaab terrorists to prevent the deaths of innocent civilians that include men, women, and children in Somalia and its neighboring countries. The efforts we take to protect and safeguard civilians dramatically contrast to the indiscriminate attacks that the coward’s al-Shabaab regularly conducts against the civilian populace of Somalia. The FGS, FMS, AMISOM, and the US AFRICOM partners will continue to liberate Somali cities from al-Shabaab tyranny.